Not all stolen vehicles are stolen and stripped for parts. Many are resold to unknowing and unsuspecting buyers. You can be arrested if you knowingly purchase a stolen vehicle. If you buy a stolen car unknowingly, you could lose the car and your money. Avoid becoming the car thief's second victim by following these tips:

• Be on the lookout for any deal that seems "too good to be true".



• When buying from a private individual, make sure his name matches the title and registration of the car.



• Be wary of a seller with no fixed address, place of employment, or phone number.



• Ask the seller for references about past financing and insurance on the vehicle. Verify the information with the bank, finance company, or agent.



• Make sure the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the automobile's dash is present, secure, and has no loose rivets.



• Check to make sure the VIN plate has not been repainted and the numbers stamped in the plate appear to be original factory numbers.



• Make sure the VIN plate rivets are original. All 1970 and newer autos produced in North America have stainless steel "rosette-shaped" rivets with six petals and a hole in the middle. They are difficult to scratch with a knife.



• Thieves may remove the VIN plate and replace it with one from a similar wrecked vehicle. If you are doubtful about plate authenticity, check with a new car dealer that handles the same model, or contact a law enforcement agency.



• The VIN on the dash must match the VIN on the registration, title, and federal safety inspection sticker on the driver's door.



• If the VIN plate is scratched, bent or missing rivets, suspect tampering.



• Make sure the federal safety inspection sticker, located on the driver's door or door jam, is securely in place and none of the numbers appear to be tampered with.



• Beware of loose dashboards.



• An excessively loose ignition switch may suggest tampering. Check the switch for chisel or pull marks.



• Be cautious of a fresh paint job on a newer vehicle. This may indicate an attempt to change the car's identity.



• Check the inspection and license plate registration stickers to be sure they are current and issued by the same state.



• If the seller provides you with only copied key and not the original manfacturer's keys, for a newer model car, be suspicious.



• Titles and registrations are frequently counterfeited. Therefore, ask to see the title before paying, and make sure it matches the registration. By completing all paperwork at the time of sale, you avoid giving the thief extra time to obtain counterfeit documents.



• Question the seller if the registration was recently issued on an older vehicle.



• Compare the engine identification numbers with all other VIN numbers to make sure they match.



• Be wary of new license plates on an old car, or new plate bolts on an older plate.